MRes Economic and Social History

Overview

The MRes in Economic and Social History will allow you to focus specifically on economic and social history and its methods of analysis, while giving you the opportunity to study other topics in international history, religious and cultural history, political history, naval or gender history.

You can select from option modules that include subjects such as ritual in the Middle Ages; witchcraft and the supernatural in the 16th and 17th centuries; sexuality; health, medicine; gender and the body; party politics and international diplomacy; and the impact of modern wars on culture, economy, society and memory.

The MRes provides essential training for PhD study in History, as well as an opportunity to develop particular interests in the history of different countries and periods through taught modules and a 25,000 word dissertation on a topic of your choosing within the MRes programme subject area.

Programme features

offers an excellent education in a very wide range of historical subjects and geographical locations over a broad time-span from Anglo-Saxon England to modern Western and Eastern Europe, some parts of Asia, North and South America, and Africa

produces graduates who are highly competent in subject-specific, core academic, and personal and key skills that are both relevant and transferable to employment.

draws on the expertise of a number of highly respected research centres which are at the forefront of their respective disciplines

participation in joint seminar programmes offering insights into a very wide range of research cultures and specialisms

excellent preparation for students intending to continue on to doctoral-level research with a good track record in obtaining funding for further study

Programme structure

The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.

Learning and teaching

Teaching takes place over the first two terms, leaving the third for your dissertation. Research-centred teaching is at the heart of the programme. Teaching is done in small seminar groups to allow students the best possible interaction with academic staff, through individual presentations and round table discussions of common readings.

Students have the opportunity to engage in a serious piece of research into a topic of their choosing through the dissertation module. You will be assessed through coursework which will vary depending on the modules you choose and the completion of a dissertation of up to 25,000 words.

Learning resources

Students have access to excellent historical resources. The University Library is especially strong in the fields of national and local English history. It also possesses the extensive archive of the Nazi Party Chancellery on microfiche, as well as archives of the Comintern and both archival and printed collections for British history on microfilm. Resources in the South West such as the Cathedral Archives dating back to Saxon times, and major library and archive collections in London are within easy reach. All postgraduates are entitled to a free place at the Institute of Historical Research in London.

The Centre for Maritime Historical Studies also has a small specialist library, and students taking modules in maritime or naval history can benefit from access to the full collection of publications of the Navy Records Society and of the Hakluyt Society, and to an ever growing number of electronic resources dedicated to Maritime and Naval History.

Research centres

Our research centres regularly hold seminars and other research events which Masters students are welcome to attend. Visit our research centres web page to find out more.

Careers

A degree in History, whether studied at our campus in Exeter or in Penryn, will provide you with a wide range of skills which will be useful in your future study or employment. Our students develop skills in researching, analysing and assessing sources, written and verbal communication, managing and interpreting information and developing ideas and arguments. Some of our graduates choose to follow their interest in their degree studies with further study or with a career in teaching or museum and archive work. Others use the skills gained on their course to enter a wide variety of careers.

Entry requirements 2017

Normally a minimum 2:1 Honours degree in a humanities or social science discipline with a minimum 2:1 grade in the undergraduate dissertation. Students with combined honours degrees must have studied at least 1/3 of their degree in History-related modules or have some background in Medieval Studies, Classics and Ancient History or Latin. Exceptions may be made for students with relevant experience or qualifications depending on the submission of written work and/or interview.

If you are an international student, please visit our international equivalency pages to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements.

Requirements for international students

If you are an international student, please visit our international equivalency pages to enable you to see if your existing academic qualifications meet our entry requirements.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees per year 2017/18

UK/EU: £7,500 full-time; £3,750 part-time

International: £16,500 full-time

Fee information

Fees can normally be paid by two termly instalments and may be paid online. You will also be required to pay a tuition fee deposit to secure your offer of a place, unless you qualify for exemption. For further information about paying fees see our Student Fees pages.